The Fraxinus Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 1175624

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £603,610 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: At trustee discretion (no fixed timeline)
  • Grant Range: Not specified - grants vary significantly (major grant of £1 million+ to Bristol Zoo Project)
  • Geographic Focus: UK and international (with emphasis on developing countries)

Contact Details

Application Portal: https://funding.ludlowtrust.com

Email: charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com

Phone: 0117 313 8200

Charity Number: 1175624

Trustee/Administrator: Ludlow Trust Company Ltd

Overview

The Fraxinus Charitable Trust was established in October 2017 by Justin and Victoria Ash as a family trust focused on addressing major issues facing global society. Named after the Latin name for the Ash tree, the trust represents the founders' commitment to climate action, conservation, livelihoods, health, educational opportunities, and the empowerment of women. With an income of £1.33 million in 2024 and charitable expenditure of over £600,000, the trust has quickly established itself as a significant supporter of conservation and international development initiatives. The trust is managed by Ludlow Trust Company Ltd and accepts applications through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway, a portal connecting over 275 charitable trusts with funding opportunities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Fraxinus Charitable Trust operates with general charitable purposes and makes grants through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis with no fixed deadlines. The trust has demonstrated capacity for both major grants (£1 million+) and smaller research and education projects.

Priority Areas

Conservation and Wildlife Protection

  • Central African forest ecosystems and endangered species
  • Human-wildlife coexistence initiatives (e.g., elephant-fence trials in Equatorial Guinea)
  • Zoo-based conservation education and learning spaces
  • Collaboration with parks and local communities in biodiversity hotspots

Climate Change

  • Climate resilience projects
  • Environmental education initiatives

International Development and Global Health

  • Projects in post-conflict settings (Rwanda, Kosovo, Cambodia, Malaysia, Colombia)
  • Research challenging racial stereotyping and western assumptions
  • Global Challenges Research Fund initiatives

Education and Research

  • University scholarships in arts and social sciences
  • PhD research on social justice issues
  • Youth leadership and empowerment models
  • Educational curriculum development in developing countries

Women's Empowerment

  • Economic empowerment initiatives
  • Challenging assumptions about women in developing countries
  • Supporting women's voices in international development

Geographic Areas of Interest

  • Equatorial Guinea (Monte Alén National Park conservation)
  • Ghana, Rwanda, Kosovo, Cambodia, Malaysia, Colombia, India
  • UK-based conservation and education projects

What They Don't Fund

The trust's exclusions are not explicitly stated. As a trust focused on general charitable purposes with specific interests in conservation, education, and international development, projects outside these areas are less likely to be considered.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

Justin Ash (Trustee since October 2017)

Co-founder of the Fraxinus Charitable Trust alongside his wife Victoria. Justin is associated with Global Health Partnerships and has demonstrated particular interest in international health and development initiatives.

Victoria Ash (Trustee since October 2017)

Co-founder of the Fraxinus Charitable Trust. Victoria is associated with The Bristol Clifton and West of England Zoological Society Limited, reflecting the trust's strong connection to conservation work. Together with Justin, she has made personal gifts to fund scholarships at Leeds University for students in arts and social sciences.

Ludlow Trust Company Ltd (Corporate Trustee since July 2021)

Professional trust administrator managing over 275 charitable trusts with £1.2 billion in assets. Ludlow Trust Company provides administration, grant-making support, and philanthropic advice to the trust.

Leadership Philosophy

The founders have gradually deepened their philanthropic engagement, moving from personal gifts to establishing a structured charitable trust. When the UK Government cut funding to the Global Challenges Research Fund, the Fraxinus Charitable Trust stepped in to ensure valuable international development initiatives could continue. This demonstrates a responsive, relationship-based approach to grant-making that identifies gaps in funding and supports continuation of impactful work.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications to The Fraxinus Charitable Trust are submitted through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway at https://funding.ludlowtrust.com.

Eligibility: UK registered charities, exempt charities, Community Interest Companies limited by guarantee, and community groups (which must have a constitution, elected committee, and bank account controlled by two or more committee members).

Application Method: Rolling basis - applications may be submitted at any time with no fixed deadlines.

Application Process:

  1. Create an account on the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway
  2. Complete application providing details on charitable purposes, specific areas of focus, project details, geography, and target beneficiaries
  3. Applications are uploaded to the portal where they are matched with potential funders
  4. Trust Managers filter and review applications based on the trust's chosen criteria
  5. Suitable applications are presented to the trustees for consideration

The platform has received over 17,000 applications since its September 2023 launch, matching over £5 million in grants across 275+ charitable trusts managed by Ludlow.

Note: For charities not registered with the Charity Commission, applications can be emailed directly to charitabletrusts@ludlowtrust.com.

Decision Timeline

Decision-making timeframes are at the discretion of the trustees. There is no fixed timeline for decisions - the trust operates on its own schedule based on trustee availability and priorities. Given the trust's demonstrated ability to make substantial grants (£1 million+), major applications likely require extended due diligence.

Success Rates

Specific success rates for The Fraxinus Charitable Trust are not publicly available. However, the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway has facilitated over £5 million in grants from 275+ trusts since September 2023, with nearly 17,000 applications received.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Unsuccessful applicants should contact the trust directly through the Ludlow Gateway or email for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Based on the trust's documented grant-making patterns and priorities, successful applications should demonstrate:

Alignment with Core Mission Areas

  • Projects addressing climate change, conservation, health, education, livelihoods, or women's empowerment are prioritized
  • International development work in post-conflict or low-income countries appears particularly well-aligned
  • Conservation projects that integrate community benefit and education components

Relationship-Based Funding

The trust has supported organizations with which trustees have existing connections (e.g., Bristol Zoo through Victoria Ash's association with Bristol Zoological Society, Leeds University through personal engagement). Building relationships with the trust and demonstrating how your work aligns with trustee interests can strengthen applications.

Addressing Funding Gaps

When the UK Government cut Global Challenges Research Fund support, Fraxinus stepped in to ensure projects could continue. Applications that identify critical funding gaps and demonstrate what will be lost without support may resonate.

Challenging Assumptions and Promoting Equity

The trust supports research "questioning issues of racial stereotyping and white western assumptions of the 'poor African woman'" and initiatives that challenge traditional power dynamics in international development. Projects that center local voices and challenge inequitable systems align well.

Demonstrated Impact and Sustainability

Major grants like the £1 million+ to Bristol Zoo Project support high-impact, visible initiatives with long-term educational value. Applications should clearly articulate impact, reach, and sustainability.

Clear Geographic and Thematic Focus

Successful projects have clear geographic parameters (e.g., specific work in Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, or Kosovo) and well-defined thematic objectives rather than broad, unfocused interventions.

Evidence of Collaborative Approach

Projects that work in collaboration with local communities, academic institutions, or other NGOs appear favored. The trust's conservation work involves park staff, local farmers, and research institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Fraxinus Charitable Trust is a family trust with specific interests in conservation, international development, women's empowerment, education, and climate change - ensure strong alignment with these areas
  • Applications are submitted through the Ludlow Funding Enquiry Gateway on a rolling basis - there are no deadline pressures, allowing time for thorough applications
  • The trust has capacity for major grants (£1 million+) as well as smaller research and project support - don't self-select out based on project size
  • Trustee connections matter - Victoria Ash's link to Bristol Zoo and Justin's global health focus suggest relationship-building and demonstrating trustee interest areas can strengthen applications
  • The trust responds to funding gaps in important work - if government or other funding has been cut, clearly articulate this and the consequences
  • International development projects in post-conflict settings or addressing colonial legacies appear particularly aligned - especially those in Rwanda, Kosovo, Ghana, or Central Africa
  • Conservation projects that integrate community benefit, education, and human-wildlife coexistence are prioritized - single-focus projects may be less competitive

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